(a) Apologies for Absence
(b) Announcements
To consider any announcements by:
(i) the Chairman of the Council;
(ii) the Leader of the Council; and
(iii) any other Cabinet Member.
Minutes:
(a) Announcements by the Chairman of the Council
(i) Attendance at Events
The Chairman reported on his attendance at the Annual General meeting of Crossroads Care which had also been a celebration of the silver anniversary of the Crossroads Scheme in the Epping Forest District. The Chairman drew attention to the work undertaken by carers for those with a wide range of physical and mental conditions.
The Chairman drew attention to the Remembrance Services which he had attended and thanked past Chairmen and other members for their attendance at services.
The Chairman announced that together with staff from the Animal Welfare and Emergency Planning Teams he had attended an event to celebrate a special award from the RSPCA in recognition of the Council’s Emergency Animal Welfare Plans. He advised that this had given him an insight into one of the lesser known parts of the Environment and Street Scene Directorate although the star of the event had been a Bull Mastiff Cross dog.
The Chairman thanked Christine Eyles, Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator for the work she had undertaken in organising a donation station where members and staff could donate clothing for sale in St Clare Hospice Shops, one of the Chairman’s Charities. He advised that 50 bags of clothing had been collected, the sale of which would provide a welcome boost to the Charity.
The Chairman referred to his attendance at the official opening of Zinc Arts Centre and Tolpuddle House, Ongar and the new Pavilion at the Grange Farm Trust, Chigwell. He advised that the Earl of Wessex had been present at both openings.
The Council noted that on 2 December 2011, the Chairman had attended the Debden Christmas celebrations. He thanked the Epping Forest College and schools for the entertainment they had provided at that event.
The Chairman reported that he had attended the Children’s Sports Awards lunch organised by the President’s Sporting Club/Essex Disabled Sports Foundation. Over 600 disabled children and their helpers from special schools from the region had attended the event which had been held at North Weald Airfield.
The Chairman advised that on 7 December 2011 he had attended a VIP performance by the East 15 Acting School.
The Council noted that the Chairman had attended the RAD Carol Service for deaf and deafblind held at Chelmsford Cathedral on 9 December 2011.
The Chairman reported that together with the Vice-Chairman of the Council and the Leader of the Council he had attended the Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs Carol Service which he had very much enjoyed.
The Chairman reminded members that the Council’s Civic Carol Service was taking place on 16 December 2011 and that a quiz night in aid of its charity would be held at Theydon Bois Village Hall on 3 February 2012.
(ii) Chairman’s Charity
The Chairman announced that £1,118 had been raised for his charity from the White Water Rafting Event held at the Lee Valley Water Centre. The Chairman thanked those who had taken part and especially those who had waived the refund of their entry fee.
The Chairman advised that tickets for a Christmas raffle in aid of his charity would be available in the Members’ Room after this meeting.
(iii) The Floral Display
The Chairman announced that he intended to send the flowers from tonight’s meeting to the family of Dave Smith.
(b) Announcements by the Leader of Council
The Leader advised that she had no announcements to make under this heading.
(c) Announcements by Portfolio Holders
The Portfolio Holders advised that they had no announcements to make under this heading.